SBS News In Depth

The ASX200 closed slightly higher after a late-session rebound, with mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto hitting fresh records while Coles fell after a landmark ACCC court ruling over misleading discount pricing. Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Betashares investment strategist Hugh Lam about the day’s market action and the forces driving investor sentiment. Plus, Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy responds to concerns artificial intelligence could disrupt the software-as-a-service sector, outlining how the cloud accounting company plans to navigate the next phase of the AI revolution after reporting a sharp fall in profit.

Taiwan on tenterhooks as they watch Donald Trump in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping. The Iran war enters its eleventh week with ceasefire talks faltering and leadership challenges plague the UK Prime Minister. Plus, Eurovision faces boycotts over Israel’s participation and France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, chides a Nairobi crowd.

US President Donald Trump has met with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing, after receiving a warm welcome at the Great Wall of China. Trade tariffs and the war in the Middle East were high on the agenda.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem is representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, with her song Eclipse. Eleven years on since Australia officially joined the globally-adored song contest, there are high hopes for Delta's performance. Attracting an audience of 2.2 million Australian viewers last year, all eyes will be on the star as she takes the stage in Vienna on Friday morning Australian time. SBS' Chief International Correspondent Ben Lewis sat down with Delta to chat all things Eurovision and what it means to represent her country.

The Federal Government says it's investing $1.2 billion in First Nations communities and Closing the Gap over five years as part of Tuesday's budget. Headline measures include new funding for remote jobs, community controlled health infrastructure, and programs to combat gendered violence. Despite these investments, some community leaders have told NITV they feel the budget left First Nations people behind.

SBS chief political correspondent Anna Henderson quizzes the Prime Minister about the budget, broken promises, a gas tax, and more

The ASX closed lower, after a record 10.4 per cent slump in CommBank shares wiped around $25 billion from its market value, while investors digested major Federal Budget reforms targeting negative gearing and capital gains tax.

The heart of the 2026 Eurovision song contest has begun in Vienna, with the first semi-final now in the books, and all eyes turning to the second semi-final, in which Australian Delta Goodrem will compete.

Cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme are the largest source of savings in the federal budget, leaving many in the disability community angry and anxious about what's to come. The details of which participants will lose their supports, and whether state governments will fill those gaps, are still being worked out.

The government has finally filed its formal response to the gambling inquiry chaired by the late MP Peta Murphy. But their response has drawn sharp criticism from advocates, who say it was dropped the day of the federal Budget - and that it doesn't go far enough.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insists he has no intention of resigning as calls grow louder within his own Labour Party for him to step down after historic losses last week in local council elections. Starmer's insistence to stay has seen some of the junior members of his government quit in protest.

Speculation was rife in the lead up to this year's budget about what it would contain for housing investors. Now we know what Treasurer Jim Chalmers has planned for the capital gains tax discount, and negative gearing regime, both of which have been blamed for favouring investors over first home buyers and inflating prices. What do the changes mean for renters and potential buyers in the housing market?

After being postponed due to the war in the Middle East, U-S President Donald Trump has now departed the US for a three-day trip to Beijing. It the first visit by a U-S president to China since 2017.

The Federal Budget has been handed down, including major tax changes that have been welcomed by unions, social services groups, and renters groups. Industry groups have raised concerns, saying the tax changes will be bad for business, as debate continues over how to balance fairness and fiscal restraint.

The federal budget for 2026 has been announced with a mixed response from different community groups. In the disability, multicultural and Indigenous sectors leaders have shared their views about this year's budget and how it will affect their communities.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his 2026 budget, which he says takes what he's called the 'hard road of reform'. At the heart of the budget are housing tax changes, and a $35 billion saving from reform to the runaway National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor has been keen to portray this budget as one of spending restraint, after warnings by economists and Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock that splashing out would only fuel inflation and risk further rate hikes.

Discussions on a peace deal between the United States and Iran appear to be at an impasse, and US President Donald Trump described the ceasefire between the two sides as unbelievably weak. He described Iran's response to the latest proposal from the US as a piece of garbage that he didn't finish reading. Iran says it has not made excessive demands and says the US is the one trying to impose unreasonable demands.

The ASX 200 slipped 0.5 per cent ahead of the Federal Budget as oil prices surged and investors weighed the prospect of tax reform. Banks were weaker across the board, while CSL plunged 16 per cent after cutting earnings expectations and flagging a major impairment.

United States President, Donald Trump, has called Iran's response to a proposal to end the war totally unacceptable. The US proposal sought to end fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Iranian state TV says that country's response focused on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, without indicating how or when the vital waterway might re-open.

The Eurovision Song Contest is back for another year and SBS is putting on its heels, dousing itself with sequins and glitter in anticipation of the broadcast. Australia's entry, Delta Goodrem, is ready to take to the Eurovision stage with her song Eclipse.

The World Health Organisation says there is low risk to the public, after those on board the hantavirus-hit cruise ship disembarked in Tenerife. Passengers and crew aboard the ship are being repatriated to their home countries, with the W-H-O urging regular health monitoring and 42-day quarantine.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers talks One Nation, housing affordability and the economy with SBS World News Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson

There are big changes ahead for the NDIS with some budget cuts and tightened eligibility. Health Minister Mark Butler says the government aims to remove around 160,000 participants by the end of the decade. Children with autism are the largest cohort of NDIS participants, with many set to be moved into the government's new thriving kids program and he says future eligibility will be based on a different set of criteria. He says work is also being done on cultural safety before Indigenous participants are transitioned off the NDIS under the new reform measures. Mr Butler's been talking the SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson.

It's an organisation that wants the world to hit the collective pause button on the development of artificial intelligence. At least until it's known how AI can be built safely and kept under democratic control. Known as PauseAI, it says it's latest concern is the company Anthropic which has just partially released Claude Mythos, a controversial AI tool capable of hacking into complex computer programs. Chief Executive of PauseAI, Maxime Fournes is speaking with Zoe Brock.

Voters in the southern New South Wales seat of Farrer have headed to the polls to choose a new MP after their former representative Sussan Ley resigned from parliament. Analysts say the vote could have lasting consequences for the coalition.

One Nation hoping for its first win at the ballot box for a lower house seat in the Farrer by-election; New South Wales government moves to tighten gun laws and overhaul its firearms registry after last year’s Bondi shooting; and in sport, Aussie golfer Lucas Herbert opens up a nine-shot lead at Trump national in Virginia .

Cuts are coming to the NDIS, with the federal government flagging 160,000 people are expected to be moved off the scheme by 2030 in a push to reign in spending growth. Health Minister Mark Butler says the reforms are necessary to rein in spending growth, with the scheme on track to cost $70 billion per year by the end of the decade. The disability community has expressed alarm and anxiety amid ongoing uncertainty about how the reforms will work and which participants will be affected. Jeramy Hope is the President of People with Disability Australia, and an NDIS participant himself. He is speaking here with Tee Mitchell.

How should Australia be preparing students for new technologies? It’s an issue governments and educators are grappling with across the world. American expert in the field, Professor Jessica Rosenberg from George Mason University, has been developing a school curriculum to encourage more young people to engage on quantum technologies. She’s also keen to see more girls and women in the field. During her visit to Australia she sat down with Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson to discuss the quantum task ahead.

Soaring costs are hurting Australia’s 2.7 million small businesses – especially in hospitality. So, what can the federal government’s May budget offer?

Australia’s largest survey of migrant working conditions has uncovered stark details of widespread, systematic underpayment. The study, published by the Migrant Justice Initiative, reveals two-thirds of migrant workers are paid less than they are owed under the Fair Work Act, and international students alone are being underpaid $3.18 billion in wages every year. Report authors say the survey also offers important new insights on how employers are concealing

A group of Australian women and children with links to the self-proclaimed IS group have returned to Australia after spending years in a Syrian detention camp. Three of the women have been arrested upon their arrival. Now, authorities say they are focused on the ensuring the wellbeing and reintegration of children among the group.

The Australian sharemarket rose 0.96 per cent, amid hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran. As a result, oil prices have dropped sharply – though remain above US$100 a barrel – and precious metal and commodity prices have risen. The Australian dollar has also benefited, reaching a four-year high, as risk appetite increases. For more on this, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Angus Geddes, Chief Investment Officer at Fat Prophets.

The latest pause in the US-Iran conflict has the world holding its breath - has the White House lost control of its own strategy? National security concerns surround the return of IS-linked women and children to Australia and a major election victory for Narendra Modi sparks claims of election fraud in India. Plus, the surprisingly brutal world of competitive furniture building.

First Nations Australians who have lived experience of incarceration in Victoria are showcasing their work through an art exhibition. The exhibition, highlighting the artists' voices, has proved the ripple effect - where one event can cause a series of bigger effects - for some to take a new path beyond prison.

Millions of voters across Great Britain are heading to the polls today, with elections for the Welsh and Scottish parliaments as well as dozens of English councils. It’s seen as a key test for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership could be challenged if the results are as bad for his Labour party as polls predict. To gauge the mood of voters, SBS News has been to the town of Port Talbot on the South coast of Wales, an area which has been a Labour stronghold for decades - but could fall to Welsh Nationalists or Nigel Farage’s hard-right Reform UK.

The cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has left Cape Verde and is headed for the Canary Islands, where passengers are expected to depart the vessel and begin heading home. Three people have died in the outbreak with eight recorded cases so far. But the World Health Organisation is moving to reassure people hantavirus is not the new COVID-19.

President Donald Trump has again raised hopes the United States and Iran are moving closer to an initial agreement to end the war in the Middle East. But he has also struck a more sinister tone, saying that if they don't agree - the bombing will start anew.

Senior Australians on government payments are facing some of the sharpest cost of living increases in the country as soaring electricity prices and rising interest rates put pressure on household budgets. In this episode of the SBS On the Money podcast, Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Patricia Sparrow from COTA Australia to find out more, before Laura Cooper from Nuveen shares her outlook on interest rates after the Reserve Bank’s latest decision. Plus, Luke Laretive from Seneca Financial Solutions breaks down a strong rally on the Australian sharemarket as the ASX200 surged following another record session on Wall Street.

Online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft have become increasingly popular tools for extremist groups to recruit young people. With Australia's terror threat level at 'probable', the government has announced a new Counter Terrorism Online Centre to disrupt and divert terrorist networks from radicalising young Australians.

One of the world's most prestigious contemporary art shows, the Venice Biennale, is just days away from its official opening. The opening comes just days after the show's jury resigned prompting a change to the system for awarding the prestigious Golden Lion awards associated with the show. The jury had earlier protested the participation of Israel and Russia saying they wouldn't consider countries with leaders currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for the awards.

Carlton have been fined $75,000 over their handling of an incident involving player Elijah Hollands in a game against Collingwood in April. The fine will be paid to the AFL's mental health partner, Headspace. The finding has highlighted the treatment of mental health within sporting circles.

The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the third time this year, pushing the cash rate to 4.35 per cent, even as other major economies pause. In this episode, PWC Chief Economist Amy Lomas unpacks what’s driving the decision and what it signals for the months ahead. The ASX edged lower, falling 0.2 per cent, with Todd Hoare from LGT Wealth Management breaking down how investors reacted. And with borrowers facing rising costs, Sally Tindall from Canstar explains what the latest rate hike means for mortgage repayments and how to assess whether your loan is still competitive.

Seven cases of the deadly hantavirus have now been identified in a suspected outbreak on a luxury cruise ship off West Africa. The outbreak has caused global concern, as the disease is considered rare among humans. What is happening with the ship, and what does hantavirus actually entail?

The first two days of public hearings for the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard from 24 witnesses who are Jewish Australians with lived experience of antisemitism. While there is broad community support for a Royal Commission, some argue it should be expanded to include other minority perspectives including Muslim and First Nations Australians' experiences of racism.

The Socceroos are ramping up their World Cup preparations, with just over a month until the 2026 tournament begins in North America. Coach Tony Popovic has a lot to do... and everyone has a lot to look forward to.

Australia and Japan have signed a suite of deals strengthening economic and security cooperation as Japan's 'iron lady' makes her first visit to Australia as leader. With global energy disruptions and a faltering rules-based world order, both leaders say a strengthened alliance between Australia and Japan is crucial for both countries.

Iran says it has forced a US warship to turn back from entering the Strait of Hormuz, while the US has announced its forces have hit six Iranian small boats they say were threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. They say US merchant ships made it through the strait - without saying when - while Iran has denied any such crossings had taken place

The Reserve Bank will make a decision this afternoon on interest rates, and financial markets and most economists are tipping a third straight rate hike. SBS' Cameron Carr spoke to Canstar’s head of data analytics Sally Tindall on Monday about what to expect. That includes the potential for a repeat of the its split decision to raise interest rates in March as the central bank frets over the dual threats of high inflation and a stalling economy.

Australian shares dropped 0.4 per cent ahead of an expected Reserve Bank rate rise, with losses across most sectors led by consumer staples and energy, while petrol prices continued to ease nationwide. Corporate headlines included a recall by A2 Milk in the United States, an ASIC investigation into Accent Group, and NAB’s weaker half-year profit driven by accounting changes despite solid lending growth and a steady dividend. The outlook for borrowers and interest rates is in focus as the Australian dollar lifts above 72 US cents. George Boubouras from K2 Asset Management Ltd joins the podcast to break down the market moves and what to watch next.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has promised to deliver his most responsible budget yet with savings expected across every portfolio. Defending possible changes to negative gearing and capital gains taxes, the government says this budget is about adapting to the uncertain circumstances facing Australia's economy.